More information on average rainfall and temperature for each of the climate zones in Comoros can be seen at the [[Climate of Comoros | Comoros climate page]].

More information on average rainfall and temperature for each of the climate zones in Comoros can be seen at the [[Climate of Comoros | Comoros climate page]].

These maps and graphs were developed from the CRU TS 3.21 dataset produced by the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, UK. For more information see the [[Climate | climate resource page]].

These maps and graphs were developed from the CRU TS 3.21 dataset produced by the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, UK. For more information see the [[Climate | climate resource page]].

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Geographical Setting

The Comoros archipelago includes Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Ndzuani (Anjouan) and Mwali (Mohéli). Moroni, the capital, is on Ngazidja, the largest and westernmost island. The neighbouring island of Mayotte is under French administration.

Comoros. Map developed from USGS GTOPOPO30; GADM global administrative areas; and UN Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. For more information on the map development and datasets see the For more information on the datasets used to develop the map see the geography resource page

General

Estimated Population in 2013*

734,917

Rural Population (% of total) (2013)*

71.9%

Total Surface Area*

1,861 sq km

Agricultural Land (% of total area) (2012)*

84.9%

Capital City

Moroni

Region

Eastern Africa

Border Countries

none - Indian Ocean. Nearby countries are Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and the Seychelles.

Annual Freshwater Withdrawal (2013)*

10 Million cubic metres

Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Agriculture (2013)*

47%

Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Domestic Use (2013)*

48%

Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Industry (2013)*

5%

Rural Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*

96.7%

Urban Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*

n/a

* Source: World Bank

Climate

More information on average rainfall and temperature for each of the climate zones in Comoros can be seen at the Comoros climate page.

These maps and graphs were developed from the CRU TS 3.21 dataset produced by the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, UK. For more information see the climate resource page.

Surface water

Surface-water resources are largely sufficient on Ndzuani and Mwali (United Nations 1989). On Ngazidja, in contrast, the island's relief; the dense concentration of its population in the coastal strip; and the lack of suitable sites for dams leads to water supply problems, and this island has been subject to much hydrogeological
study.

Soil

Soil Map of Comoros, from the European Commission Joint Research Centre: European Soil Portal. For more information on the map see the soil resource page

Land cover

Land Cover Map of Comoros, from the European Space Agency GlobCover 2.3, 2009. For more information on the map see the land cover resource page

Geology

More information is available in the report UN (1988) (see References section, below).

The Comoros are volcanic basalt islands, the tips of a submerged range. There are at least three main phases of volcanic activity, separated by phases of rest and alteration. Almost the whole of Ngazidja island is covered with ouctrops of volcanic materials of the most recent upper phase, surrounded by lavas of the intermediate phase. At the ground surface there are also layers of red clay several metres thick, indicating advanced laterisation of the early phases (United Nations 1989).

The lavas of the later phase are compact or finely vesicular grey-black or iron-grey rocks, especially andesitic basalts, labradoric basalts, basanitoids and limburgites. The lavas of the intermediate phase are of a very common type; their mineralogical differentiation from the lavas of the upper phase is not always very clear. Scoria are often also found at the base of a flow; the middle part of a flow is more compact but fissured. The lava are sometimes extremely vesicular, as a result of cooling in the open air (United Nations 1989).

Small outcrops of alluvium, the result of sporadic surface water flows, are found in the form of fine materials produced by the recapture of pyroclastic materials or very coarse materials shaped by the action of torrents (United Nations 1989).

Hydrogeology

More information on the hydrogeology of Comoros is available in the report UN (1988) (see References section, below).

The basaltic lavas have high permeability. Other formations are thought to be of little hydrogeological interest. Direct rainfall recharge is likely to be rapid and high, infiltrating down to the aquifer base roughly at sea level (United Nations 1989). The degree of alteration of the volcanic rocks, and therefore their
permeability, is in direct proportion to their age, and so the infiltration of groundwater water is likely to be influenced by the spatial distribution of the ancient volcanic materials - i.e., the paleo-relief. Groundwater flows tend to be concent1ated in the ancient valleys, occupied by recent flows which are more permeable than the surrounding older rocks, and thus forming preferred groundwater flow paths. Local disruptions to groundwater flow may create perched aquifers - such as vertical dykes and the alteration of ancient basalts at depth (United Nations 1989).

There are a number of springs, both ephemeral and perennial, on Ngazidja island, mostly with a low yield. Some examples are M'Koudoussi, Hamoindze and Souou, which are perennial with yields varying from 0.5 m³/h in the dry season~to 50 m³/h in the rainy season. Other examples, such as N'Gnambéni and M'Rotso in the massif of Badjini,
and Bonde in the massif of La Grille, have yields that vary from 1.5 and 2.5 m³/h in the dry season to 30 to over 100 m³/h in the rainy season. Along the coast, there are a few discharges of brackish water which flow at low tide.

Groundwater Quality

Infiltrating rainwater has a very low mineral content, in the order of 100 mg/l, with a Cl content of 10 to 20 mg/l, and mainly of Ca-Mg-HCO3 type when measured in the island's interior springs. Na and Cl are prevalent in all the water tapped in the coastal zone, owing to the influence of sea water, even in the water with lowest mineral content. The groundwater of the coastal zones can therefore be considered essentially diluted sea water, the mineral content of which is determined by the degree of sea water intrusion (United Nations 1989).